Since its inception in the mid-1980s, the Council of Conservative Citizens has cloaked itself in the mantle of mainstream conservatism to mask its underlying racist agenda. The CCC bills itself as a "grass-roots" organization working on issues of concern to conservatives, such as opposition to affirmative action, "big" government, gun control and increased immigration.

The CCC co-opts both the language and issues of conservative causes to camouflage the true aim of the organization, which is to regain what it sees as the lost power base of the white population of the United States. The group also asserts that it is fighting to restore America's white Christian heritage and it has led the battle to preserve the use of the Confederate flag in Southern states.

Although Gordon Baum claims that his organization is not racist, an examination of the roots, membership, and official organ and Web site of the CCC proves otherwise. While individual chapters of the organization may be less extreme in their views than others, a pro-white and anti-minority stance is at the heart of every CCC chapter.

Next: Racist Roots